This is the city: Los Angeles, California. I work here. I'm an ex-mayor. Los Angeles is a magnet for people from all over the world. Some of them run for public office. Inevitably some of them stray from the golden rule and rule for those that have the gold. That's when I go to work. My name is Yorty. I'm a dead pol.

And ironically - Trutanich's legendary bullying of members of the City Council has been effective enough to garner their endorsements as well as that of the Mayor and Governor Jerry Brown. One could surmise these gaggle of cowardly chickens might be afraid to cross Carmen the Clown, or, perhaps, they wish to escalate the Carmen problem to the County and grease the skids for Council Member Paul Krekorian to grab the City Attorney's chair (and by domino fall set up Krekorian's boyish, North Hollywood based charges-de-affaires Damian Carroll to assume the 2nd District Council seat).

If this is the crowd Carmen - who just a few short years ago was the dreaded opponent of the establishment's dear Jack Weiss - is reduced to hang out with, has he not become damaged goods?

Jackie Lacey

There are however, certainly a good number of alternatives to the Serbian former tuna packer.

Jackie Lacey is a quarter century long serving member of the DA's office with a track record of prosecuting violent crimes and for establishing innovative programs within the office. Lacey, endorsed by outgoing Cooley, if elected, would be the first woman and the first African-American to serve in the position.

Bobby Grace

Another major contender for the spot is Bobby Grace. Like Lacey, Grace traces his service in the office back to the late 80s and is also African-American. Grace is most famous for his prosecution of Snoop Dogg in an alleged 1996 case of a drive-by shooting. A Bruin with a long track record of work in local Democratic party politics, Grace recently successfully prosecuted illegal immigrant Pedro Espinoza in the tragic killing of teenager Jamiel Shaw, II. We recently interviewed Grace (as well as Shaw's father, Jamiel, Sr.) on LiveLASaturdayNight.

Other candidates in the race include Deputy DAs John Breault and Danette Myers.

While either Lacey or Grace would make fine DAs and far and away are absolutely far better choices to Trutanich, I am supporting Deputy District Attorney Allan Jackson to succeed Cooley.

Allan Jackson

Jackson is the youngest of the candidates - at 46 - and one of three Republicans. He's served nearly two decades in the office heading up many prominent local cases. He's responsible for convicting the murderer of auto racing legend Mickey Thompson and his wife Trudy. The murder - which happened in the late 80s when Jackson was still an undergrad at UT Austin - festered in the DA's office for 18 years until Jackson took over and secured the prosecution of Michael Goodwin, putting him away for life. Jackson is most famous however for his prosecution of rock icon, producer Phil Spector, in the death of Lana Clarkson.

A military veteran, Jackson brings both a hard boiled anti-gang/anti-crime track record to the position but one who also understands how to fight crime in a technological age. Jackson has served as an advisor to NBC News on programs such as Dateline NBC's Unsolved Case Squad.

When it comes to the District Attorney's race - one thing is solidly clear - Anybody But Carmen. But when it comes to the top choice to stand up for the residents of Los Angeles and victims of violent crime, that choice is Alan Jackson.

5 Comments:

Anonymous said:

Alan Jackson is by far the BEST choice for District Attorney. He has tremendous leadership skills, an impeccable trial record, and enviable list of endorsements, including most law enforcement organizations. Plus, he has the character and integrity we need to lead the DA's Office and prevent it from becoming politicized. Great analysis of the race and great choice to endorse!

Lies lies lies, just like your candidate. Jackson is pushing 30 law enforcement endorsements, and all three of Trutanich's (you literally named every single one) will flip once he has to go against Jackson in a run-off. November will be the biggest landslide and embarrassment Nuch has ever seen if jackson can secure a spot Tuesday night.